With his birthday in the Vatican, the Pope turns 87 years old

With the right to hold a birthday party, Pope Francis will turn 17 and 87 this Sunday. The leader of the Catholic Church, who completed his papacy for a decade, received many honors throughout the day.

Before the Angelus, the monks participated in a traditional Christmas concert organized by the Santa Marta Hospital in Sala Paolo VI. More than 200 families received the Pope in an atmosphere of great joy.

In addition to snacks and cake, the celebration included songs, dances and even a mini circus show. This ceremony has become a tradition in the Vatican, as its inaugural edition was in 2013, on the occasion of the first anniversary of Francis becoming Pope.

With a very busy 2023, the Pope has participated in a synod, made five trips, and still has to overcome some health problems.

“In the name of the Italian people and in my own name, I send you my sincerest wishes for well-being. In a world where, unfortunately, new rivalries are added to conflicts that have never stopped, your continuous pastoral work continues to remind everyone of the necessity of building solutions that restore peace,” said Sergio Mattarella, President of Italy.

The Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, commented that Jorge Mario Bergoglio is an “enlightened leader”, while the Deputy Prime Minister and Head of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, declared that he “prays for the health” of Francisco.

The country’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, said: “On his birthday, I would like to extend my sincere wishes to His Holiness Pope Francis. Thank you for his fine education as a leader of the Catholic Church and for his commitment to peace.”